Inside Disney California Adventure’s Secret Audio Control Room

Audio design is one of the aspects of theme park design that often gets overlooked. But the background music and on-stage productions play a key role in setting the mood inside the parks. From running the sound along the performance corridor, to the smaller street shows like “Five & Dime”, to impromptu messaging in case of inclement weather, Audio 1 plays an important role in the park.

Disneyland just released this video with Stage Technician Brian White who takes us behind the scenes to the hidden audio control room inside Disney California Adventure:

Pretty cool to see all those camera banks. I’m sure that’s just a fraction of the security cameras set up in the park.

Audio Central Fun Facts:

Engineers control 209 full-range parade speakers and 114 subwoofers along the parade route, while controlling more than 250 background music zones in restrooms, restaurants, stores, attraction queues and more.

Engineers monitor 43 different cameras: 21 along the parade route, 17 for “World of Color” and 5 at additional entertainment locations.

During the 2013 holiday season, Audio Central was responsible for 31 shows each day: one Pixar Play Parade, five performances of “Phineas and Ferb’s Rockin’ Rollin’ Dance Party: Holiday Edition,” six Disney ¡Viva Navidad! street parties, ten Five & Dime performances, six Red Car Trolley News Boys shows, one tree lighting ceremony and two performances of “World of Color.” These are shows that actively require a technician as an operator. The system simultaneously runs a number of smaller events on its own throughout the day.

Disneyland park has its own Audio Central, located on Main Street, U.S.A., just above the Main Street Opera House.